The Big Con Reviews

The Big Con is ranked in the 60th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8.5 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2021

It is not easy to make a game about coning and robbing people on this personal of a level and not make the gamers feel bad about what they are doing but the developers behind The Big Con use the art style, comedic bits and the 1990s nostalgia in a way that this idea works in such a nice way that you will have a blast playing it, specially if you are a 90's kid.

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XboxEra
Harm0nica
7.5 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2021

Criminality has never been so much fun, and thankfully, in The Big Con, no one really gets hurt.  Available on day one via Xbox Game Pass and with a roughly six-hour completion time this is a title well worth checking out.

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GameSpew
Top Critic
6 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2021

It’s entertaining while it lasts, and developer Mighty Yell has absolutely nailed the 90s cartoon aesthetic. But The Big Con is devoid of much real substance. Had there been more narrative, better character development and more engaging missions, this could have been something special. As it is, it feels like an underdeveloped concept that falls short of its promises.

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3.5 / 5.0
Aug 31, 2021

The Big Con succeeds when, as its title suggests, you're working on elaborate con jobs that provide clever puzzle ideas with a lot of open and fun gameplay. While the rest of it is fine, it never feels like the sort of epic cross-country adventure it should be, despite what its stakes would suggest. It still makes for a good adventure with well-done challenges, and that alone may be worth it, but don't expect a grand score by the end.

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7 / 10
Aug 31, 2021

However, even if it does get monotonous sometimes, I certainly can't fault the originality of the pickpocketing idea. The Big Con is not the kind of adventure game I see every day and credit to Mighty Yell for trying something different. I don't know if it's because I was hoping more would be done with the idea or because the game felt too short, but I ultimately came out of this game wanting something more. Maybe that's just the hunger for a bigger score.

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Eurogamer
Emad Ahmed
Top Critic
Recommended
Aug 31, 2021

A criminal scheme becomes a big hearted journey into the recent(ish) past.

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7.5 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2021

Though there's some technical issues, some more devastating than others, The Big Con is a heart-warming teenage road trip that's worth playing

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Aug 31, 2021

The Big Con delivers a heartwarming story set in an iconic time period filled with beautiful characters and stunning environments.

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75 / 100
Aug 31, 2021

The Big Con is a blast from the past in its setting and story. While the tools to get you where you need to go need a bit of work, Ali is an exceptional main character, and playing through her story is a lot of fun. It's short, yes, but it's definitely worth the price of admission for an entertaining jaunt through the '90s.

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8.5 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2021

The Big Con is a bright, fun and surprisingly wholesome crime spree through a Saturday morning cartoon version of 90s America. You might develop a compulsion for kleptomania, you might feel bad for picking hundreds of pockets, but at least you'll laugh along the way and feel cool doing it.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2021

That bright, cartoony art style works perfectly for The Big Con’s nostalgic portrayal of the Nineties, and, combines with a touching story and witty dialogue to make The Big Con a very enjoyable adventure to play through. It can be a little easy at times, and I played through it more quickly than I expected, but I had a blast.

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JVL
French_Fantasy
Top Critic
13 / 20
Aug 31, 2021

A true tribute to the 90's with its universe and discussions full of references and its graphic paw reminiscent of the cartoon Doug, The Big Con is not a game to put in all hands. The title is based on a gameplay focused on theft that never evolves, dialogues in the vein of the time, now uncomfortable, and an atmosphere of the 90s that works wonderfully. A funny game worthy of a sitcom, which can tire at times, but which seems reserved only for the nostalgic.

Review in French | Read full review

7 / 10
Aug 31, 2021

The Big Con presents a fun, addictive gameplay loop to embrace - despite never truly sitting right with us narratively. Its world is a delight to explore, the characters are fun and the 90s vibes wrap around you like a warm winter's blanket. It's a shame its morals are never presented in a truly challenging way, but if you can look past its messy narrative, you'll find a fun, charming indie adventure that's hard to put down.

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70%
Aug 31, 2021

Simplistic it may be, but there's an inherent charm to The Big Con that proves infectious. A sweet, coming-of-age yarn that happens to involve a lot of stealing and skullduggery, Mighty Yell's game is full of heart, soul, and '90s nostalgia.

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8.5 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2021

The Big Con is a welcome nod to one of the coolest decades of all time, featuring some great writing, beautiful visuals, and fun gameplay.

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GameSpot
Top Critic
7 / 10
Aug 31, 2021

The Big Con is a unique take on video game nostalgia that takes players to the '90s, but not the video game '90s.

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Aug 31, 2021

Overall The Big Con is a charming little slice of nineties nostalgia. It's propelled by its strong writing and world-building, a deep understanding of the era it is referencing, and some fantastic characters, and it's certainly a road trip players will enjoy taking. Although its gameplay is limited and there are some technical issues, it's an earnest and compelling journey.

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7.5 / 10.0
Sep 3, 2021

For an experience meant to mimic a night spent in front of a rented VHS tape and a bowl of microwaveable popcorn, that’s about all you can ask for.

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Generación Xbox
Nathusalem
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Sep 7, 2021

‎The Big Con is about its history and nostalgia for an era it is no longer. It's a pleasant road trip, where cassette tapes still need to be rewound, MTV still plays music videos, and fanny packs are all the rage. Ali is a typical teenager who in the long run is endearing, the touch of familiarity that surrounds the whole story works very well and visually the game has a very pleasant style. ‎

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8 / 10.0
Sep 7, 2021

The Big Con provides some much-needed 90s nostalgia while also providing an outrageous tale smothered in wit, sarcasm, and Horm. It’s a short, casual game, with a whole lot of spunk and a whole lot of crime, and I really recommend it to anyone looking for a laugh.

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